COSAFA Under-20 Championships return to Zambia in 2018

Lesotho will return to the COSAFA Under-20 Championships
looking to go one better than last year's final defeat to South Africa...

The 2018 COSAFA Under-20 Championships are set to light up Zambia from November 30 to December 13 in the latest installment of the regional showpiece.

The tournament  has been a breeding ground for Southern African talent down the years and will again be staged in Kitwe following the successful hosting of the event last year where South Africa were crowned champions after they defeated Lesotho 2-1 in the decider.

Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe have confirmed their participation and they will be joined by associate member Reunion, who will take part in a COSAFA tournament for the first time.

Hosts Zambia will be keen to regain the title they lost last year while fans will get to see a new batch of young stars from the Southern African region.

The COSAFA Under-20 Championships have played a vital role in developing talent through the year

Running through the list of past stars to grace the finals reads like a Who’s Who of Southern African football and all benefitted from the exposure to top level competition.

From a South African perspective, the likes of Bokang Mothoana, Tumelo Khutlang and Likuena captain Mafa Moremoholo have forged international careers at the Under-20 showpiece.

For South Africa the likes of Itumeleng Khune, Lerato Chabangu, Daine Klate, Elrio van Heerden and Lebohang Mokoena all represented their country at this level and went  on to forge successful club and international careers.

Other young stars such as Clifford Mulenga and Isaac Chansa (both Zambia), Tinashe Nengomasha and Onismor Bhasera (both Zimbabwe) as well as Jimmy Zakazaka (Malawi), have used the tournament to persuade clubs outside of their country they have a bright future in the game.

The COSAFA Under-20 Championships were first played in 1983 but as a little-recognised get-together of a few of the stalwarts of the region, including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Botswana.

Because of apartheid, South Africa only entered the fray for the first time in 1993.

Those early years were dominated by the ‘Two Zs’, with Zambia winning six and Zimbabwe three of the first nine tournaments held.

South Africa were the first team to break the duopoly when they triumphed in 2000 having been losing finalists in 1995 and 1999.

Madagascar became only the fourth country to win the event when they surprisingly triumphed in 2005 beating Lesotho 1-0 in the final in the final.

Before Lesotho three years ago, the previous two installments, in 2010 and 2011, were hosted by Botswana, with Zambia extending their winning streak to three with success in both.

Zambia added an 11th title in 2016 when they romped through the competition defeating hosts South Africa 2-1 in the final.

South Africa regained the trophy last year after Zambia surprisingly exited in the pool stages. 

Makoanyane XI coach Bob Mafoso has named a preliminary 23-man squad for the tournament...

More than lifting the trophy, however, the COSAFA Under-20 Championships is about developing the talent of tomorrow and giving young players the chance to compete with their peers in a highly-competitive environment that should help prepare them for the challenges of future international football.

Lesotho Under-20 Squad:

Goalkeepers:

Jessy Matsie (Lioli), Teboho Khoabane (Swallows), Retšelisitsoe Marake (Likhopo)

Defenders:

Liteboho Nkune (Kick4Life), Tuntu Moroahae (Likhopo), Lekhooa Khoete (Bantu), Molikeng Makhebesela (Matlama), Shali Lekhotla (Sefotha-fotha)

Midfielders:

Bonang Mohapi (Kick4Life), Keketso Lipholo (Kick4Life), Tsokolo Nyamatane (Lijabatho), Bokang  Makhomo (Lijabatho), Mafa Mokhoele (Qoaling Highlanders), Bokang Mokhele (Lioli), Tumelo Makha (Lioli), Percy Mohani (LCS), Khemisi Maeza (Matlama)

Strikers:

Sanele Phantse (Kick4Life), Thaane Mokoena (Liphakoe), Tsotang Malesela (Manonyane), Tšeliso Botsane (Kick4Life)

Previous Winners:

1983    Zambia

1985    Zimbabwe

1986    Zambia

1988    Zimbabwe

1990    Zimbabwe

1993    Zambia

1995    Zambia

1997    Zambia

1999    Zambia

2000    South Africa

2001    Zimbabwe

2002    Zimbabwe

2003    Zambia

2004    South Africa

2005    Madagascar

2006    South Africa

2007    Zimbabwe
2008    South Africa

2009    Zambia

2010    Zambia

2011    Zambia

2013    South Africa

2016    Zambia

2017    South Africa

Most Wins:

11 – Zambia

6 – Zimbabwe, South Africa

1 – Madagascar